What does Google's data center mean for Fort Wayne?

Hey Locals, 

We’ve heard a lot of comments and concerns about the Google data center in Fort Wayne recently, including at City Council last week, and while we are certainly still skeptical about the project ourselves, we also wanted to sit down with someone who works in big tech AND lives in Fort Wayne to get their perspective on the matter. 

A few weeks ago, a subscriber, Jocelynn Hartwig, reached out to us with the idea to start blogging about AI more frequently in Fort Wayne, and while talking with her, we realized a knowledge gap exists between the general public (people like us) and people who work closely with AI on a regular basis. 

We hope today’s Q&A helps to start an ongoing conversation where we can learn more about these tools and developments that are becoming part of our lives and communities. And we hope it helps you take a step back to see the bigger picture of the costs and opportunities in relation to data centers.

For a quick refresher:

• Google is building a $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne. The site is located near East Tillman and Adams Center roads in Southeast, and the project is entering Phase 3 of its development.
• As part of Phase 3, Google recently filed permits with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to build three additional data centers on its 858-acre campus, starting in early 2027. This would bring its total footprint to more than 867,000 sq. ft. and directly affect nearby waterways and wetlands.
• Upon completion, the project is expected to create up to ~200 jobs, mostly in facilities and operations roles.
• The project has received multiple tax incentives, including a 10-year, 50% property tax abatement from City Council for each building constructed, estimated to save Google about $55.5 million. The state of Indiana also committed a 35-year sales tax exemption on equipment and energy for the project.

Let’s dive into our Q&A.

The Local: Tell us more about yourself and your interest in talking about Fort Wayne’s Google data center.

JH: I’m Jocelynn Hartwig, and I work in big tech. But I also grew up in Fort Wayne, live here now, and care deeply about the long-term growth of this city. As a technologist, I am perhaps implicitly biased to be more open-minded or excited about data centers than the average resident. But I’ve also heard some assumptions about the project that I wanted to take a moment to address and, hopefully, provide you with a more well-rounded understanding of data centers, no matter where you land on them. For better or for worse, a project like the Google data center shapes jobs, infrastructure, and future growth, and it’s worth understanding what that actually means for Fort Wayne.

The Local: One big concern about data centers is the lack of direct jobs they create, especially considering the local tax incentives these projects have received. Can you tell us more about that?